Visit from Grandma Maureen

Grandma Maureen came to visit us in Iowa City as a little pit stop on her business trip to Philadelphia, PA. We were all so excited (especially Maureen!) that she and the girls bonded on this trip.  Scarlett is always pretty shy around her grandparents, because we don't get to see them very often, so it did my heart good to see her open up to Grandma.  Here they are cuddling on the couch while mom and dad cooked and cleaned up in sweet peace.

Maureen came just in time for Brian and me to go to our Jazz vs. Bucks game in Milwaukee, WI. This was our first overnight trip together without kids, and it was glorious.Maureen said the kids were soo good without us there, due to the save the worst tantrums for your mom phenomenon. Still, this made me happy.

 Driving 3 1/2 hrs without kids is a CINCH. 

What is a vacation without pretty food to eat?
 Meanwhile, Gma has things handled. On a Target run, she stumbled upon Free Family Night at the mall, so the girls ate Chick-Fil-A, received some clever balloon animals, and rode the Carousel for free!  We were tickled that their party night ended up being so accidentally AWESOME.

 After our little trip, we had some fun low-key time around town.  This pictures are from after church, playing with their new bubble machine Grandma got them.

Alice tears, per the norm.